For over 50 years, William G. Davidson's artistic vision and passion for motorcycling have shaped Harley-Davidson's® identity, earned him a lasting reputation among bikers around the globe and, truly, transformed the entire motorcycle world. Affectionately known as "Willie G." by millions of motorcycle enthusiasts, Harley-Davidson's Chief Styling Officer Emeritus and Brand Ambassador will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall Of Fame Induction ceremony, August 9, 2017.

"Willie G. is not just a brand ambassador for Harley-Davidson; he is an ambassador for biker culture worldwide," said Myrick Robbins, executive director of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall Of Fame. "The Museum's goal is to 'Honor the Rider,' and Willie G. is the embodiment of motorcycle riding." Willie G. was already a pre-2001 member of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame, and was joined by his wife Nancy in the Class of 2010.

"Just like Sturgis Rally founders Pearl and Pappy Hoel, Willie G. and Nancy have made a long-term, positive impact on the motorcycle community," explained Robbins. "You could say Willie G. was born with gasoline in his veins."

Beginning in the '70s, Willie G. (the son of former Harley-Davidson president William H. Davidson and grandson of one of the original founders, William A. Davidson) has helped shape the iconic look, sound and feel of Harley-Davidson motorcycles by developing iconic designs which kept Harley-Davidson motorcycles selling while the company completed technological and manufacturing improvements. He is responsible for the development of many of the bikes that came to define Harley-Davidson, from the XLCR™ Cafe Racer up through the V-Rod™ and the Street Glide™.

Willie G. attended the University of Wisconsin in his home state for three years before transferring to the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. He joined Harley-Davidson in 1963 and was invited to set-up the company's motorcycle design department. In 1981, he was one of 13 executives who raised more than $75 million to purchase Harley-Davidson from AMF Incorporated.